Epidemiologic Intelligence to Support Decision-Making in Milwaukee

Establishing a dynamic, responsive, decision-supportive data analysis resource for Milwaukee County

Full Project Name:Dynamic, Responsive Spatiotemporal Epidemiologic Intelligence to Support Decision-Making in MilwaukeePrincipal Investigator:Kirsten Beyer, PhD, MPH, Institute for Health and EquityCo-Investigator:Mallory O'Brien, PhD, Institute for Health and EquityAward Amount:$145,168.00

Award Date

April2020

Project Duration:9 months

Project Description Narrative:

Rates of coronavirus are higher in Milwaukee than the rest of Wisconsin, with high infection rates and deaths in the city’s northside Black communities. However, current coronavirus projections are only provided at the state level and more detailed spatial and temporal information about the spread of the infection, and disparities, is needed. This information is crucial as additional waves of infection and response are anticipated over the next 12-18 months until a vaccine or effective antiviral medications are identified. This project aims to go beyond basic emergency planning to establish a dynamic, responsive, decision-supportive data analysis resource for Milwaukee County.

Community Partner: Milwaukee County

Outcomes & Lessons Learned:

Established an intelligence team that included expertise from the fields of biostatics, epidemiology, public health, and clinical and translational research across MCW and other area academic and public health institutions
Initiated and finalized appropriate data-use agreements rapidly, enabling partners to access and build analysis and reporting capabilities
Analyzed critical data, producing daily and weekly reports for area leadership along with comprehensive special reports aimed at assisting decisionmakers in deploying guidance to businesses, organizations, and the public related to the impact of COVID-19 on populations including Black and Hispanic communities and children, as well as on topics including the impact of the social determinants of health on COVID-19
Established weekly regional reports for nearly every county in southeast Wisconsin, including Milwaukee County
Conducted ongoing predictive modeling to estimate the spread of infection as well as hospital capacities and demands for health care providers serving Milwaukee County residents
Established a platform for conducting equity-focused analysis that identifies key targets for prevention and interventions